Adviser to EU top court voices doubt on Polish courts' independence

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - An adviser to Europe's top court said on Thursday that the independence of Polish courts could be at risk from changes made by the right-wing government.

The advocate general to the European Court of Justice said in an opinion that a newly created disciplinary chamber of the Polish Supreme Court "does not satisfy the requirements of judicial independence under EU law".

Under the change, judges could be subjected to a disciplinary investigation and ultimately sanctions if authorities deemed their rulings inappropriate.

The ECJ, which is due to rule in the coming months, is not bound by such opinions but follows its adviser's lead in most cases.

(Reporting by Alissa de Carbonnel; Editing by Alison Williams)